May 2020 - Page 2 of 5 - Community Initiatives Map

Creation of transparency in the use of resources in the conditions of COVID-19 in Moldova

During a pandemic, one of the main tasks is to ensure the availability of medicines and preventive drugs in medical institutions and pharmacies. The measures taken by the authorities to ensure the urgency of procurements, in addition to the positive effect, can have an impact on reducing transparency and inefficiency risks using budget funds. Moldova faced the vital task of mobilizing all the resources available in the country and ensuring the most efficient use of funds allocated to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moldova

New challenges create new resources for NGOs

During the state of emergency and quarantine throughout the country, people living with HIV were in a difficult situation. Many lost their jobs and were left without a livelihood. Activists of HIV-service NGOs note the lack of personal protective equipment for employees and volunteers of organizations. Clients of NGOs need food packages, protective equipment (masks, gloves, sanitizers), as well as stable communication with consultants by phone or through the messenger, but due to loss of income they do not have this opportunity. This situation significantly increases the risk in people living with HIV (PLHIV) of COVID-19.

Kazakhstan

Substitution maintenance treatment during quarantine

Patients of substitution maintanance treatment (PST) in Temirtau, Karaganda region (Kazakhstan) have limited access to the treatment of a chronic disease guaranteed by them by the state. In Kazakhstan, participants in SMT programs are taking the medication at mental health centers under the direct supervision of medical personnel. From mid-March 2020, the building of Temirtau Narcology Clinic was reallocated to the hospital for patients with COVID – 19.

Kazakhstan

HIV Prevention in Armenia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Armenia, like many countries of the world, was no exception during to the spread of a new type of coronovirus (COVID-19) and its consequences. Since March 2020, the virus has shown a frightening growth rate, accompanied by deaths. A critical issue was maintaining the sustainability of services for key groups and adapting them to meet emergency challenges.

Armenia

Sustainability in the real world is created by real people

During the coronavirus pandemic, the key task for us was to ensure the continuity of treatment for people living with HIV, both in Armenia and abroad. At the same time, our work should be focused on providing access to free syringes and alcohol wipes for injecting drug users, ensuring the prevention of HIV infection and reducing the risk of coronavirus infection. It was also important to ensure that key populations and people living with HIV were informed of the necessary preventive measures in the context of protection against coronavirus.

Armenia

ART: we will not leave you in trouble

The ITPCru Treatment Preparedness Coalition, together with Life4me +, is helping people living with HIV from the EECA region and other countries of the world who are forced to stay abroad due to interrupted intercountry transport linkages.

EECA

Remember & Act – It’s in Your Power: stories of confronting the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV / AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

To commemorate the World Remembrance Day of AIDS Victims, the Alliance for Public Health, the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and the Central Asian Association of PLHIV presented a regional online initiative Remember&Act – it’s in your power about working together and saving lives.

Vera Brezhneva presented the regional online initiative for the World Remembrance Day of AIDS victims

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Vera Brezhneva, together with representatives of the international community presented a regional online initiative Remember & Act – It’s in Your Power! within the World Remembrance Day of AIDS Victims.

SAFE BOX home delivery

Due to quarantine and public transport, the flow of people wishing to be tested for HIV has sharply decreased. Previously, prevention and testing services for men who have sex with men (MSM) were provided on the basis of community centers of organizations.

Ukraine

Harm reduction room and saving lives

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the Sumy harm reduction room was operating in usual regime. It was the first room of such kind in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Services such as counseling, testing, distribution of preventive kits, self-help groups, information sessions, and a preventive service for using the room for safe use and safe disposal of used tools were provided. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to comply with WHO preventive measures, adjustments were needed to the harm reduction room.

Ukraine